Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology

Psychology is defined as the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Students majoring in psychology are exposed to fundamental concepts that provide them with a solid foundation in the discipline. Development of critical thinking skills, and an understanding of research methodology and appreciation for diversity, are hallmarks of the undergraduate program. In addition, students are provided with a unique degree of flexibility in selecting courses from several required areas to best prepare them for graduate programs or careers of their choice.

The psychology major is an extremely popular one at Loyola. We have 26 professors and 30 affiliates who offer a wide range of courses, from the introductory course to field placement and advanced research. The department has computer facilities, a biofeedback laboratory, and faculty who are involved not only in teaching but also research, supervision, and clinical practice. The department is known for the strong teaching skills of its faculty; two professors who have been recognized as the Maryland Psychological Association for Graduate Students (MPAGS) Mentor of the Year award, two others who have been honored as Distinguished Teachers of the Year, and another designated Outstanding Teacher of Psychology in the state of Maryland. Research activities of psychology faculty include topics such as: gender selection, homophobia, attitudes toward AIDS, forensics, substance abuse, problems of children, and health psychology, to name a few. Many of the psychology faculty members have published widely in the above areas. In addition, during their studies as a psychology major, students may have the opportunity to conduct research with a psychology faculty member; either in his or her program of research, or their own project. Students who have had this opportunity have presented their work at local, regional, and/or national psychology conferences.

Psychology Curriculum

Requirements for Psychology Majors

The following three 3-credit and one 1-credit courses are required for all psychology majors:

PY101: Introductory Psychology

PY200: Professional Development in Psychology (1 credit)

PY291: Research Methods I (with Lab)

PY292: Research Methods II (with Lab)

In addition, majors choose the specified number of courses from each of the following groups:

Group I: Advanced Topics (choose two)

PY300: Independent Study in Psychology I

PY353: Contemporary Issues in Psychology

PY400: Independent Study in Psychology II

PY404: Ethics in Psychology

PY413: Psychological Tests and Measurements

PY414: Advanced Statistics with Computer Applications

PY415: Psychological Systems and Theories

PY417: Special Topics in Psychology and Catholic Studies

PY418: Research Seminar in Psychology I

PY419: Research Seminar in Psychology II

PY420: Applied Special Topics in Psychology

PY435: Field Experience in Psychology I

PY490: Special Topics in Psychology

Group II: Learning and Cognition (choose one)

PY221: Psychology of Learning

PY222: Cognitive Psychology

Group III: Behavioral Neuroscience (choose one)

PY331: Biopsychology

PY332: Human Neuropsychology

PY333: Sensation and Perception

PY412: Evolutionary Psychology

Group IV: Developmental (choose one)

PY241: Child Development

PY242: Adolescent Development

PY243: Adult Development

PY244: Life Span Development

PY245: Aging and Society

Group V: Social (choose one)

PY201: Social Psychology

PY203: Psychology of Personality

PY351: Interpersonal Behavior

PY352: Group Process

Group VI: Clinical/Applied (choose one)

PY202: Psychopathology

PY261: Introduction to Health Psychology

PY262: Industrial/Organizational Psychology

PY323: Introduction to Counseling

PY325: Controlling Stress and Tension

PY326: Substance Abuse: Diagnosis and Treatment

PY421: Forensic Psychology

Group VII: Culture and Context (choose one)

PY253: Multicultural Issues in Psychology

PY255: Psychology of Religion

PY256: Psychology of Gender

PY450: Black Psychology

Notes:

In addition to the 11 3-credit and 1 1-credit courses mentioned above, students are required to choose four more courses from any of the groups to serve as psychology electives.

PY101 is a prerequisite for all other PY courses.

ST110 or ST210 or ST265 is ideally taken prior to PY291, but it may be taken concurrently. This statistics requirement must be completed prior to taking PY292. These are the only math courses that fulfill the pre-/co-requisite for PY291.

Psychology majors and interdisciplinary majors are strongly encouraged to take BL105; however, they may take BL121/BL126 (and in the case of BL/PY are required to take BL121/126). Taking either BL105 or BL121 serves as the prerequisite for Group III courses.

All PY200-level courses (except PY291 and PY292) may be used by the non-psychology major as social science core courses, provided the PY101 prerequisite is met.

Students must complete the diversity requirement through a designated diversity core, major, or elective course (see Diversity Requirement under Curriculum and Policies).